Edo Government and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo Council have commended the Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP) during a rally to commemorate the 2021 World Human Rights Day organized by FONWIP last weekend in Benin City.
The Permanent Secretary of, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Dorcas Idehen on behalf of the Edo Government lauded FONWIP for “taking proactive actions in the fight against inequality and gender-based violence against women in the state”.
Mrs. Idehen revealed that a lot of domestic violence against women has been reported at the ministry in recent times which she attributed to men venting their frustration on the weaker vessels including children. She, therefore, stressed that the 2021 World Human Rights Day theme: “Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights” was timely.
She, however, reinstated the commitment of Governor Obaseki’s administration to the fight against inequality in government “as you are aware Edo state government is committed to seeing that this evil of gender inequality is nipped in the bud”.
According to her ” the passing into law of the Amended Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in June 2021 is a testimony that the governor hates inequality and has zero-tolerance for gender-based violence. The Edo government has also pledged partnership with relevant stakeholders to bring this menace to an end in our dear state”.
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary praised Obaseki’s administration for surpassing the 35 percent benchmark of women appointments in government. ” A lot of women have been appointed by this government into key positions. In Edo State now we are talking about 50/50 or more. This demonstrates that this government is gender friendly”
Meanwhile, the chairman of, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo Council, Sir Roland Osakue (JP) expressed the readiness of the union to expose perpetrators of inequalities and gender-based violence. He also charged women in Nigeria to aspire high and support themselves in the struggle.
“FONWIP, as we know, has led the women forum and gender sensitization to ensure that women are being fairly represented in political positions. To buttress this, the president of FONWIP, Hon. Florence Gbinigie became the commissioner for women’s affairs in Edo State.
Like I always tell people, until we get to the point when a woman can be president of Nigeria or governor of Edo and even president of the Senate, we still have a long way to go. The NUJ is committed to this struggle with all the women around the world and will give maximum supports when needed”. Mr. Osakue noted.
The president of FONWIP, Hon. Florence Gbinigie (JP) while making her address called “on the government to create a conducive atmosphere and a better society for all to thrive by addressing the existing gender gap”.
She said this can be done by “making laws and policies to address these inequalities and prevent the further spread”.
The rally recorded a massive attendance of young and elderly women who carried various banners pleading with authorities to end inequalities and gender-based violence in society.
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